AFOQT Practice Test

How are electricity and magnetism related?

1. Electricity is a component of magnetism

2. They are completely independent phenomena

3. Electricity can create magnetism and vice versa

4. Magnetism causes electric current to disappear

The correct answer is: Electricity can create magnetism and vice versa

Electricity and magnetism are fundamentally interconnected aspects of electromagnetism, which is one of the four fundamental forces of nature. The relationship between the two can be observed through several key principles. The correct answer highlights that electricity can generate magnetic fields, and conversely, changes in magnetic fields can induce electric currents. This principle is exemplified by devices such as electric generators and transformers. When an electric current flows through a conductor, it creates a circular magnetic field around it. This is known as Ampère's circuital law. On the other hand, Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction states that a changing magnetic field within a closed loop can induce an electric current in a conductor present in the loop. The other options don't accurately reflect the established relationship. Saying that electricity is a component of magnetism implies a hierarchy that doesn't exist, as both are manifestations of the same electromagnetic force. The assertion that they are completely independent overlooks the profound connections laid out in electromagnetic theory, which unites them. The notion that magnetism causes electric current to disappear is also incorrect, as magnetism does not eliminate electric current; rather, it interacts with it in dynamic ways. Thus, the correct choice emphasizes the dual nature of electricity and magnetism: one can influence and